Thread: Rumor: Jackson to Pats but not for Mankins

Chargers may be mulling a deal with Patriots for unhappy WR Vincent Jackson
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The Huddle was advocating a Vincent-Jackson-to-the-Patriots-deal long before New England shipped WR Randy Moss back to the Vikings on Wednesday.

Is it closer to becoming a reality? Maybe ...

Comcast SportsNet New England's Tom Curran reported earlier in the week that the Chargers and Patriots had discussed Jackson, though Curran now believes that disgruntled New England G Logan Mankins would not be involved in a potential deal.

The dissolution of the salary cap this season triggered a rule that prevented both Jackson and Mankins from becoming unrestricted free agents in 2010 and rendered both restricted free agents. Neither player has signed his tender offer nor reported to his respective team amid contentious holdouts.

The Patriots, who are loaded with draft picks (including two apiece in the first four rounds of the 2011 draft), seem to have the currency to afford Jackson, a 27-year-old deep threat who'd seemingly be a nice long-term replacement for Moss.

However the The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee is skeptical the Patriots would meet Chargers GM A.J. Smith's asking price of a first- and second-round pick over the next two drafts.

Jackson is currently on the Chargers' roster-exempt list -- a stratagem Smith has used to try and force holdouts to report -- and would have to sit out three games once he signs any deal or tender, much as Chargers LT Marcus McNeill is currently doing.

The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 19.

-- Nate Davis